Page Fore: Joy, suffering at final PGA Tour Q School

Heart transplant recipient Compton among graduates

LA QUINTA — Over Saturday and Sunday night, Erik Compton figured he got about four hours of sleep total.

This is a man who has twice had his own beating heart removed from his chest to have it replaced. He has drifted into a medically-induced sleep not knowing whether he would ever see life again.

You might think that those personal trials would make anything else in this world much easier, but Compton was back at the PGA Tour’s Qualifying School Tournament, feeling as antsy and apprehensive as ever trying to get back to the major leagues.

“Playing six rounds at tour school is hell week,” Compton said. “I didn’t sleep. It was mostly mental because I had no control when I was in the house. When I was out here, I feel a lot more at ease standing over a shot than having to think about what you’re going to do 12 hours later.”

Compton has once again achieved the extraordinary. Four years after receiving his third heart, the 33-year-old from Florida walked 108 holes over six days at PGA West, steadied his doubt and his jangly nerves, and shot 22 under par to be among the 25 players on Monday who secured their tour cards for the 2013 season.

Compton tied for 10th, three shots behind the medalist, 25-year-old South Korean Dong-hwan Lee. Among the notable players who also got their cards: former European Ryder Cuppers Ross Fisher (24-under) and Robert Karlsson (20-under), and 17-year-old South Korean Si Woo Kim (18-under), who won’t be able to play as a tour member until he turns 18 in June.

“For me to be able to have a chance to win tour school, (play) six rounds, four years after what I went through, you can’t dream of a story like that,” Compton said. “Maybe I made it look easy, but it’s not.”

This was the final year of Q School as we know it. Beginning next season, PGA Tour cards will be earned strictly through Web.com Tour promotions. The Q School will be played for those vying for cards on the Web.com.

The 47-year-old tournament has been a reporter’s dream because the drama and tension are unlike anything else in golf. Majors are the most compelling events in the sport, but Q School can produce as much elation and pain because the stakes are about whether professionals get to play for millions at the game they love.

The triumphs at Q School are legendary, as are the meltdowns.

On Monday, 35-year-old journeyman Edward Loar bravely stood in front of a half-dozen reporters, arms crossed at his chest, to explain how he managed to drop from a tie for third after five rounds to missing his card by two shots. Loar scored 78 in the final round by splashing his ball into the water on the 17th and 18th holes on the TPC Stadium Course for a pair of double bogeys.

It was easily the day’s most glaring collapse.

“We all know how cruel this game can be,” said a quiet, but composed Loar. “It’s obviously a really hard day for everyone. What can I say?”